ABPA — The Australian Bush Poets Association Inc.

Welcome to the Australian Bush Poets Association

WELCOME. Membership of the Australian Bush Poets Association (ABPA) is comprised of writers, performers and individuals who are interested in bush poetry and enjoy written and live stories in rhyme and metre. If you have an interest in this piece of Australian culture called bush poetry, you have come to the right place.

Aims
The objectives of the Australian Bush Poets Association are to foster and encourage the growth of bush poetry in Australia. By definition, Australian bush poetry is metred and rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians and/or the Australian way of life.

Membership
To join the Australian Bush Poets Association and receive our bi-monthly magazine, go to our Membership page.

The ABPA keeps in touch with its members through this website (and forum) and our bi-monthly magazine of bush poetry news, events, results of written and performance competitions as well as samples of contemporary bush poetry. Many members have books, CDs and other products. These can be advertised in the magazine. For rates, click here. The deadline for ads and other content for the magazine is the 22nd of the month preceding publication. Magazines are published at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October and December.

Check out our Facebook page.

EKKA Poetry Competition

Vale Rod Hansen

Keen performer and husband of highly awarded writer and performer Shelley Hansen, Rod gave spirited renditions. He and Shelley helped bring history to life at many events.

Our sincere condolences to Shelley and family.

Vale Claire Reynolds

Claire and husband Col have been stalwarts of bush poetry events throughout Australia over many years. Claire always delivered exacting, skilled performances and received many awards for her efforts.

Claire will be sorely missed and our sympathies go to Col and family.

Man from Snowy River Bush Festival

Poetry Events Manager Graeme Johnson, Matilda Award winner Debby Berryman and Clancy’s Choice winner Justin Geange.

THE VICTORIAN BUSH POETRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, 16th-19th April 2026

2026 marked the third consecutive year that the Victorian Bush Poetry Championships had been held in Corryong, Victoria (as part of the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival) and the second consecutive year that $8000 in cash and prizes were awarded for same.

As you would expect this attracted the ‘crème de la crème’ of talent from the ranks of the Australian Bush Poetry genre.

The Male Championship Performance sections were ‘chock a block’ full over the 4 competition sections with the likes of Justin Geange, Jim Brown, Jim Lamb, Gerry Mannion, James Warren, Phil McManus, Michael Darby, Bruce Chandler, John Peel, Bruce Clark, John Moyes and Ian Cole stepping up to show the audience what it was all about.

The Female Performance sections were a little bit lighter on, numbers wise, with Liz Dorsett, Debby Berryman, Annette Roberts, Judy Boyd, Silvia Biesot and Pauline Pickering battling for the placings.

“The Man from Snowy River Recitation” section was won by Justin Geange with Debby Berryman in second and Jim Brown in third (pictured below).

The Yarnspinning section attracted 10 contestants and was won by Mick Coventry with Jim Bown in second and Matthew Hollis placed third.

Overall Performance Champion ($1000) was Justin Geange who also took out the Grand Champion Prize ($1000).

The Poets’ Breakfasts (held on Banjo’s Block) attracted a full dance card every morning with the before-mentioned poets being joined by Lorraine McCrimmon, Janelle, Bruce ‘Bushranger’ Hill, Campbell the Swaggie, Maurie Foun, Seamus Foley, Joaney Clancy, Tony Bain, Marlene, Michelle Mannion, Tony Hayes & David Friday amongst others.

Geoffrey W. Graham held the audiences entranced with shows at the “Jack Riley Remembrance Ceremony” at the local museum and also popped up on the Rec Reserve stage here and there. Geoffrey also Mc’d the “Anzac Remembrance Concert” in the RSL Hall.

Lawrie Sheridan Encouragement Award winner John Moyes, Jan Lewis Encouragement Award winner Sylvia Biesot.

Featured Poets The Rhymer from Ryde, Peter Mace and Tim Sheed also appeared at the “Featured Artists Variety Concert” down in the showground and in various judges concerts around the grounds etc.

Musical concerts were provided by Christine Middleton and Colin O’Keeffe & Brendan Gallagher kept the late-night Aussie ‘Singalongs’ going round the campfire till the early hours of the morning.

The Written Serious section saw the judges Peter Mace, Tim Sheed and The Rhymer from Ryde sift their way through 48 entries whilst the Written Comedy section saw 39 entries. The Overall Written Champion was David Judge who took home the $1000 prize for his troubles.

1-Minute Poem runner-up Jan Lewis and winner Annette Roberts. Corryong Larrikin Written Comedy winner and Overall Written Champion David Judge.

The assembled crowds were well fed and watered thanks to the catering service provided by Bruce ‘Bushranger’ Hill and his eager staff who provided breakfasts, lunches and dinners on Banjo’s Block and in the Lions Youth Hall.

In closing, Poetry Events Manager Graeme Johnson would also like to offer special thanks to Kristy Streat (the Overall Events Manager) and Lisa Walsh (Volunteer Co-ordinator) for their tireless efforts in running the entire festival. Thanks also to Malcolm Batty (who was the Hall Monitor/Manager for the weekend). He would also like to thank each and every person who specifically volunteered to help run the Bush Poetry section of the event as it simply wouldn’t run without your eager support and participation. Thank you all very very much!

See you all again next year!

Yours, Graeme Johnson.

See full results here.

Poetry Performance Workshop viewable online

On Sunday 17 August the ABPA hosted a poetry performance workshop with Mel and Susie (2/3 of the judges for the 2025 National Bush Poetry Championships). The workshop was recorded and can be viewed on the Multimedia page.

Book Launch: A Sense of Place by David Judge

With an eventful, fulfilling and at times turbulent 70+ years behind me, I have accumulated a vast and diverse range of knowledge, skills and experiences to call upon for poetic expression. I’m not sure what prompted me to start writing poetry so late in life, however, it has given me an enduring sense of place and purpose and a fulfilling outlet for artistic creativity. Australian rhyming verse has a rich and vibrant historical affinity with our national identity and seemed to be the most natural way for me to connect with the past in a way that is structured, logical and easy for most people to understand.

We were nomads of the inland as we moved from place to place where I went to many schools and where I loved the open space and although it didn’t seem it was important at the time I am recollecting all those years with stories told in rhyme.



www.davidjudge.au

Past Magazines now online

The historic magazines of the ABPA from its inception in 1994 are now available here. See how we used to look!

See previously featured poets.

See previously featured achievers.